"Raw" P-Bass

[mtaffonso]

Hi Folks !

I´m planning to build a really simple project of a "Raw" P-Bass, just for rehearsals.

I´m intending buying a P-Bass made of Ash, unfinished and let it this way. Just put the pickguard, all other parts and just play.

It is will be there any problems in the future ? Thinking of using a unfinished neck too.

With use , it will be stained ?

Planning to use Mighty Mite parts, low cost bass.
Any comments would be apreciated.
Thanks !

 

[line6man]

The neck will warp and the body will look gross in no time at all.

There is a reason that bodies are almost always finished.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Yeah, it'll be a funk machine pretty quickly...and not in a good way.

A simple tung oil finish or tru-oil finish would be a quick and easy way to go.

 

[SurferJoe46]

You'll get splinters.

 

[mtaffonso]

I imagine that it will be dirty and stained really fast.

Yes, I'm reading something about Tung Oil finish.
I must apply it how many times ? It will be applied pure or thinned ? Which kind of thinner ?

May I use the Tung Oil finish in neck too ?

Thanks again !

 

[mtaffonso]

I imagine that it will be dirty and stained really fast.

Yes, I'm reading something about Tung Oil finish.
I must apply it how many times ?
It will be applied pure or thinned ?
Which kind of thinner ?
Which thinner to oil ratio ?

May I use the Tung Oil finish in neck too ?

Excuse me for so many question , this is my first DIY project.
Thanks again !

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I built a 7-string baritone of maple and wenge (and ebony fretboard). I used Watco Tung-Oil Finish straight from the can for the body and neck (except the fretboard).

I did about 5 or 6 coats on the body, and 3 or 4 on the neck. The body I buffed to semi-gloss, and the neck I hit with steel wool for a smoother matte finish.

It took about a week, I think.

 

[mtaffonso]

I built a 7-string baritone of maple and wenge (and ebony fretboard). I used Watco Tung-Oil Finish straight from the can for the body and neck (except the fretboard).

I did about 5 or 6 coats on the body, and 3 or 4 on the neck. The body I buffed to semi-gloss, and the neck I hit with steel wool for a smoother matte finish.

It took about a week, I think.

Thanks ! Did you let it dry how long between each coat ?
Does the steel wool darkens the maple wood ?
Tks. !

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I think the can recommended waiting 4-6 hours between coats, so I just did two per day.

The steel wool did not darken the maple. It just removed the gloss sheen from the neck and made it feel...smoother.

 

[Down & Outman]

Oil finishes are the way to go. Ash w/ oil ought to be sweet. I'll take an oiled neck over Nitro any day. Do what HaMMerHeD said and you'll be fine. Hard to screw up an oil finish, except being in a hurry to get it put back together and play it before it's dry.